University of Richmond Athletics
Men's Golf
- Title:
- Head Coach
Nat Withers is in his 24th season at the helm of the Spiders golf team, which gives him the longest tenure of any head coach at the University of Richmond.
During the fall of 2000, Withers guided the Spiders to two tournament victories in their first three events and the Spiders rose to a No. 10 ranking in the Golfweek polls. Last spring, Withers coached Richmond to the NCAA East Regional Men's Golf Championships for a second consecutive season. In that span, he was instrumental in directing the career of two All-CAA perfomers as well as the Spider Club "Male Athlete of the Year."
The 1998-99 campaign was the program's best ever with Withers leading the Spiders to the Division I Men's Golf Championships for the first time in program history. For the accomplishments, Withers was selected by his fellow coaches as Virginia's Golf "Coach of the Year."
Withers has established one of the most respected golf programs in the Colonial Athletic Association. In 11 of the past 16 years, his squads have finished no worse than second in the Colonial Athletic Association, while capturing three team championships and five individual titles.
In the past 14 years, Withers has led the Spiders to 11 overall team titles and has guided 13 individual tournament winners.
Withers graduated from the College of William & Mary in 1959. He is a member of a select group of coaches who hold a doctorate in an academic field. Withers earned his D.A. in mathematics from Carnegie-Mellon in 1971. He presently divides his time as both golf coach and professor of mathematics and computer science at the University of Richmond. His success in handling these duties has earned him respect and recognition on both the state and national golf scene.
Withers began coaching at Richmond prior to the 1972-73 season, but left after three years to devote more time to teaching. In 1980, a dean at Richmond approached him.
Would Withers be interested in assuming the reins of the team again?
Withers said "yes," and has remained the head coach ever since, building a standard of excellence among Richmond's student-athletes.
Withers' own achievements are reflected in the great success his golf teams have enjoyed throughout the 1980s and 90s. His academic attributes compel him to place school work as the top priority among his players. The high graduation rate of his golfers is a testament to this, but Withers also devotes countless hours to helping his players improve their games.
